Fluid-clutch mechanism.



c. w. Donar., Jg. FLUID CLUTCH MECHANISH. nnwnmx rum mm, n, 19's?.

Patented Feb. 16, 1909.

n nrrnn STATES PA ENT OFFICE.

CSLXRLES- W. DODGEyIR., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR 0F OXEHALF TO JOH`- k, HERBERT FARRELL, OF DENVER, COLORADO,

FLUID-CLUTCH ISEECHANISM.

Specication of Lettera Patent.

ne. clopes.

Patented Feb. 16, 1900.

Application filed December 11, 1907. Serial No. 406,022.

. Be it known that l. Cinxntrs lV. Donor., i

V-vrank-ee and State of llviscoiisin, have iiivezitcd certain new and useful lnunoi'enients in .Fiiiid-Cliitrli Mechanism; and l do hercrleelare that the following is a full, clear, :intl exact description thereof.

My invention has for its object to provide g souple, economical and etiicient fluid eluteli- 5 mdlianisin by which a driven-shaft may be started troni rest. and gradually speeded to finally attain the saine speed as u drive-shaft 'that has heen rotating diirin" the entire .operation at practically constan speed; said invention consisting generically and speci lically iii what is hereinafter particularly set forth withreerence to the accompanying drawings and also hereinafter claimed.

Figure 1 of the drawings represents a partly sectional end elevation of a tluidclutch mechanism in accordance with my invention, and Fig. 2., a partly sectional side elevation of said mechanism.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A indicates a drive-shaft et' an engine, moto;` or other prime mover, and keyed o.' otherwise ri 'dije secured to the same is a support B o.' preferably annular form, which support may be the ily-Wheel of an explosive engine. Loose at one end in'- a socket. of the support B is a driven shaft. D alined with the driveshaft and keyed or otherwise rigidly secured ou the driven-sliat is a gait D in mesh with a similar geni' E that turns on a lateral stud L of said support. The support aforesaid is provided with a guide-frame F for a cross- A head G, and a pitinan H connects the gear E' .with 'the ci'oss-liead. The rod I of u. piston yT is also connected to the cross-head, and the piston .has its reciprocation in a cylinder J in connection n ith the aforesaid support, the pistoniod being extendedthrongh a .stuifingbox and gland ai one end of the cylinder.

circulating ecuduioK, in connection with :i head c and a lateral extension d of .the

' cylinder, is interrupted by a casing L containing a slide vulve M that controls ports of said casing in registerwith attached branches of said conduit. The casing and valve are preferably cylindrical, and said casing extends thrcugh the support B aforesaid which it s rigidiv secured bv suitable means.

Onebraneil of e eonrluitu'K. between the y double-acting pump designed to etl'eet a cirl eulation of tluid in the conduit K, unless this l circulation is stopped by an adjustment of the slide-valve M, the stein M of this valve l being preferably in connection with :in arm f of a collar O in sliding engagement with the drive-shaft A and a spline g of same, l this collar being' provided with an annular groove engaged by a Spanner-ring P that is connected by a link Q with a lever or other controlling device.

lnfluid-tight connection with one side of the support B is a casing R through which the driven shaft extends, a Shilling-box and gland for said-shaft, being provided.

:i normally closed aperture therein, with'a incascd parts of the mechanism, and the tiiiid'contents of said casing are drawn into the circulating system, comprising the pump and conduit, through the valve-controlled port e of said conduit, said circulating system being always filled with said tiuid.

lf the drive-shaft A be rotating and the driven shaft C et rest, the slide-valve will be adjusted to open the ports of the casing L, in which said valve has its play, so as noty to interfere with the tiuid in the circulating system. and the gear E will turn freely on its own axis and roll around the circummeshed. Hence, the pump is operating to more the fluid back and forth in the conduit. Now' supposing the slide-valve is adjusted to gradually close the ports in its casing, there will he au increase of resistance to the motion of the pumfiston, thus tending to prevent rotation o tic gear E on its' axis, vuntil eventually aturning movement 1s exerted on the gear D sulicierit to overcome the resistance applic(- to the gear aforesaid, and thereafter both gears begin to rotate in tlielsame direction as the rotary sup rt B, until said ports are entirely closed v said slide-valve. At this time both o the gears become fixed with yrespect to the rotary suoport, and the driven s bat. is running at the saule speed as tie drive-shaft, said driven shaft having stt/med from rest and gradulie casing is designed to be filled, through.

fluid, preferably oil, in which case an oil-J hath is provided for the gearing and other' ference of the gear D with 'which it is :diy attained mini] speed wilhout jar or i -ww on tb guide-frame, a double-acting apprm'inhh 'diminution of the of said cidre-shaft.

I claim:

1. The cmnhiimiion Vof a rive-shnft, a su port in rigid (-nmwctimi whiz the shaft, u driven-draft, a gf-zu' fnt on the driven-shaft, unullmr fmr rmlmziliy lose :m :1 Shu] nf (he support in muli, with the 'cnr Mum-Suid, :i pump :mm-,imi '.u -'nid snppnrt and imring its pishm iii plnum-Mmnecmx with 11m.

mash Wit-h the gear uforcmd, :1 cross-head;

pimp :xiinchfd io the support and havin and having :1n inlet cnniruli-fl by a checkxznzff-garrnsinjf in ruimer-'Linn wil!) Suid Support. .ig-p! lmvingr pms in rvyintc-r with :attached Ham-in @if 11,4* ruwuil, which il iiru-l'rupts,

jsmihlv rm-0H for -rxrl ports, :Jul :1 {inidrmxlzxinI-r :niacin-l In rim nforiwaid .-suprrir u, immo ilw 'fvnriwn pump um! the mechaninu :lfurveuii In tcsivzmiy that I viziin the furngfiing: 

